A Dalit woman has accused key government officials of Kolnara block in Rayagada district in Odisha of offering her social benefits only if she and her family would convert to Christianity.
The woman has made a written complaint to the Rayagada District Collector on Monday following which he has ordered a probe by the Sub-Collector.
According to reports, the woman from Rengalapadu village of Duduli panchayat under Kolnara block alleged that Kolnara tehsildar Bernadutta Lakra had tried to get her and her family converted into Christianity.
The woman hails from a poor landless family and has an ailing husband. For the past many months she had been trying to avail benefits of various government social welfare schemes. She has alleged that Mr Lakra told her that she would be provided permanent land patta for Indira Awas Yojna (IAY) homes and other benefits.
She further alleged before newsmen in Rayagada that the Kolnara Block Development Officer (BDO) S. P. Pradhan had also made similar offer.
Mr Lakra has denied the allegations and termed it a conspiracy against him.
